Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Lizzo changes lyrics to remove slur
Lizzo came under fire after “unintentionally” using an offensive slur on her new track “GRRRLS,” which will appear on her album “Special,” out in July. The Grammy winner responded Monday to what fans dubbed an offensive lyric by completely changing the line.
The word — a slang term for “spastic” — is considered derogatory, and Lizzo was called out online by disability advocates for promoting ableist culture. But for anyone familiar with Lizzo’s music, that’s the opposite of her inclusive, body-positive modus operandi.
“Hold my bag, (expletive), hold my bag/ Do you see this (expletive)? I’m a (slur),” the original song said. After the criticism, the singer, 34, took action, changing the song’s line to “Hold me back.”
“It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song ‘GRRRLS,’ ” Lizzo said in a statement posted Monday across her social media accounts. “Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language. … I’m proud to say there’s a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change. This is the result of me listening and taking action. As an influential artist I’m dedicated to being part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world.”
Label says BTS plan is not a hiatus:
Global superstars BTS said they are taking time to focus on solo projects, but the company behind the K-pop group said they are not taking a hiatus. The group’s seven members talked about their future in a video posted Tuesday celebrating the nine-year anniversary of their debut release.
Band member Suga asked if the group should
talk about why they were going into a hiatus. They discussed having to deal with COVID-19 interrupting their touring plans and music releases, as well as what each thought about their individual artistic goals. The group spoke in Korean, and the word “hiatus” was used in the video’s English subtitles.
But a statement from Hybe, the South Korean entertainment company behind BTS, said they’ll still be working on projects as a group, as well as individually. “BTS are not taking a hiatus. Members will be focusing more on solo projects at this time,” the statement said.
No details about future BTS collaborations or the solo projects were announced Tuesday.
Spears’ ex charged with stalking:
A man once married to Britney Spears who showed up uninvited Thursday at the pop star’s wedding to Sam Asghari was charged Monday with felony stalking.
Jason Alexander, 40, pleaded not guilty in Ventura County court to the charge, along with
misdemeanor counts of trespassing, vandalism and battery. The misdemeanor charges stemmed from his attempt to get into the wedding, which he livestreamed on Instagram. The stalking charge involved repeated incidents over time, Spears attorney Mathew Rosengart said.
A judge issued a restraining order requiring Alexander to stay at least 100 yards from Spears for three years. The judge set his bail at $100,000 and scheduled a Wednesday hearing on the issue.
Alexander was Spears’ first husband. The two were married for less than three days in 2004 before an annulment.
June 15 birthdays: Singer Ruby Nash Garnett is 88. Actor Simon Callow is 73. Singer Russell Hitchcock is 73. Singer Steve Walsh is 71. Actor Jim Belushi is 68. Actor Julie Hagerty is 67. Actor Helen Hunt is 59. Actor Courteney Cox is
58. Rapper Ice Cube is 53. Actor Leah Remini is 52. Actor Neil Patrick Harris is 49. Actor Denzel Whitaker is 32.